Missing Haines City woman's car found near park

HAINES CITY, Fla. (FOX 13) - The search for a woman whose car was found near a wildlife reserve in Haines City becomes more urgent as the investigation's fourth day comes to a close.

Yanela Lorente, 28, was last seen leaving her house Sunday afternoon. She texted a family member that night but hasn't been heard from since. Her white 2013 Kia Optima was found parked near the entrance of the FWC Hilochee Osprey Unit Wildlife Reserve off Old Polk City Road.

Yanela Lorente is described as 5-foot-4 inches tall and 125 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a scar on her right thigh, surgical scars on her abdomen, and a naval piercing, police say. She was last seen wearing a red and white flannel long-sleeved shirt, a white t-shirt with black lettering, short dark-colored shorts and black shoes with white soles.

Lorente was reported missing Monday after she failed to return home. Her family says she would rarely go a full day without contacting her mother and sister.

"She is my sister. She's been raising me since I was small," Yanisleidi Lorenti said through tears at a press conference about her sister's disappearance. "We used to speak every day but she would never show me emotions or how she felt... She was just always very happy."

Police are calling Yanela Lorente's disappearance suspicious.

"We are looking at all possible video locations and the sheriff's office is actively helping us with interviews," Haines City Deputy Chief of Police James Elensky said. "We are not going to stop till we find her."

Elensky said police have interviewed Yanela Lorente's boyfriend, Rubin Meza. He said Meza was the last person to see her, but it was unclear if their contact was at her house on Sunday or sometime later.

"We're talking to the boyfriend. He would be the last one to see her. You call it what you want," Elensky said.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have been searching for Lorente since Monday, along with Haines City police.

Anyone who has seen her should contact the Haines City Police Department right away or you can report anonymously to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).